Our enquiry team can discuss ways fostering can fit in with your own career and family. Call or email us today to learn more.
Here is how Essex County Council support foster carers, your family and looked after children.
Our only motivation is helping vulnerable children thrive
Unlike some independent fostering agencies, who can have profit goals and stakeholders to impress. By fostering with Essex, funding supports more children, instead of creating business profits. If you're an approved foster carer, you can transfer to Essex County Council.
Foster carers training, led by experts
You're not expected to know everything right away, our foster carers learn on the job. With your social worker, each carer will create a bespoke learning plan.
Some courses are mandatory, like first aid. Other courses are available, based on your interests and type of care you provide. Courses are a mix of online, and in-person, so you can meet other foster carers too. Learn more about foster carer training.
When we applied for fostering we were really open about our family life and what would work best for us. Throughout the application process we never felt pressured, it was completely up to us - Corinne, a foster carer
Support for foster carers, and your family, is available 24/7
When you foster with Essex, you're never alone. Your social worker will visit you in-person, so you can chat through anything you need help with. Plus, our teams run in-person, local support groups every month.
If you need emergency help - our support line is open 24/7. Help is just a phone call away. Learn more about support for foster carers.
Offering competitive fees and allowances
Essex County Council believe in offering foster carers a fair, competitive fee. Based on caring for one 11 - 15 year old, on average our foster carers receive £537.12 per week.
This equals a total annual income of £27, 930.24. Most of this will also be tax-free. Learn more about foster carer finances.
Expenses are also paid
As well as weekly fees and allowances, foster carers expenses are paid too.
- extra payments towards birthdays and Christmas celebrations
- extra payments during summer holidays, towards days out
- paid expenses (for travel to training courses, family visits and specialist equipment)